Bulawayo council rates up 5%

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC), which ran a stand-still budget for three years, has increased charges by 5% across the board, as it seeks to improve water supplies as part of a $212 million budget for 2019.

While the standstill budget was meant to cushion ratepayers, who for years have been struggling to pay rates and service charges in a stagnant economy, rising operational costs and inflation have forced the city fathers to raise tariffs.

Presenting the budget yesterday to the local business community, council financial director Kimpton Ndimande said in crafting the budget, they took into consideration economic challenges affecting the nation such as the rising inflation.

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